Hurricanes 101
Florida has recently encountered an influx of new residents, many of whom have never experienced a hurricane. As experts in hurricane window safety, we thought it would be important to review some key hurricane terms to help you stay safe this season:
Hurricane Watch: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues a hurricane watch 48 hours ahead of when it believes a hurricane with sustained winds of at least 74 mph are possible to hit an area. The watch is issued 48 hours before the anticipated impact to allow for time to prepare for the storm. If you hear news of a hurricane watch – don’t delay! Now is the time to make preparations; once the winds start blowing, it will be difficult and dangerous to be outside.[1]
Hurricane Warning: A hurricane warning is issued 36 hours ahead of when NOAA expects a hurricane with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher to hit an area. If your home has hurricane shutters, they should be in use now to prevent structural damage later.[2]
Category Level: A hurricane can be graded one – five, based on the expected wind speed.
- Category 1: Sustained winds of 74-95 mph. Can cause damage to roofs, shingles, siding and gutters. Tree branches can snap. Power outages can last for days.
- Category 2: Sustained winds of 96-110 mph. Can cause major roof and siding damage. Trees can be snapped or uprooted. Power outages can last up to several weeks.
- Category 3: Sustained winds of 111-129 mph. Causes major structural damage to homes including removing the roof or deck. Many trees will fall, causing blocked roads. Power and water may be lost for weeks.
- Category 4: 130-156 mph. Causes catastrophic damage, such as homes losing most of their roofs and/or exterior walls, most trees and power lines downed. The area will be uninhabitable for several weeks and potentially months.
- Category 5: 157+ mph. Causes catastrophic damage, such as a significant percent of homes completely destroyed and widespread fallen trees and power lines. The area will be uninhabitable for months.[3]
Hurricane Impact Windows: Unlike regular glass, which can shatter if hit with high winds or projectiles, the glass used to manufacture hurricane impact windows is the strongest glass available and can withstand hurricane force winds – even from Category 5 storms. If a projectile hit a hurricane impact window, the glass may spiderweb, but it won’t shatter, protecting your home from water and debris intrusion. Best of all, with hurricane impact windows, no shutters are necessary, significantly improving your quality of life during a storm.
If you recently moved to Florida and your home lacks hurricane impact windows, call CitiQuiet Windows and Doors to learn how you can improve your home’s safety and comfort during a storm, and every day, with hurricane impact windows.
Since 2012, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors has been engineering and installing high-quality impact windows, doors, and shutters for residential and commercial buildings throughout Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.
Based in Boca Raton, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors offers a turnkey service to clients including initial design, engineering, and permitting, installation and finish work. From elegant French doors to hurricane impact-resistant windows and sliding glass doors, CitiQuiet Windows and Doors has your solution.
At CitiQuiet Windows and Doors, we carry only the highest-quality products from the nation’s top manufacturers – and we stand behind everything we sell. For a free estimate, contact CitiQuiet Windows and Doors at 561-241-9463, visit us atcitiquiethurricanewindows.com, or stop by the showroom today at 6530 West Rogers Circle, Suite 29, Boca Raton, FL 33487.
With an A+ rating from Better Business Bureau (BBB), CitiQuiet Windows and Doors consistently strives to exceed customer expectations.
[1] NOAA. Glossary of NHC Terms (noaa.gov). Accessed April 25, 2023.
[2] NOAA. Glossary of NHC Terms (noaa.gov). Accessed April 25, 2023.
[3] NOAA. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale (noaa.gov). Accessed April 25, 2023. All Saffir-Simpson definitions are sourced here.